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noun

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an essential role
a necessary role
a crucial role
an imperative role
a vital role
an integral role
essential information
critical information
fundamental information
useful information
primary information
precious information
an essential element
a key element
a requisite element
a major element
a main element
an important element

Synonym Chooser

How is the word essential different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of essential are cardinal, fundamental, and vital. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

conflict is essential in drama

When could cardinal be used to replace essential?

While in some cases nearly identical to essential, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When is fundamental a more appropriate choice than essential?

While the synonyms fundamental and essential are close in meaning, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When would vital be a good substitute for essential?

The words vital and essential are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of essential
Adjective
These harem pants have two deep pockets and a stretchy waistband, which is essential because there’s nothing worse than the feeling of tight, restrictive pants. Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2025 Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 16 May 2025
Noun
Go on down the list, which includes everything from essentials like housing and groceries to financial goals like investing and debt payments to extras like your daily latte and assign each a number until your whole paycheck is used up. Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 15 May 2025 Now, the essentials of what hip-hop needs to be recognized for — the people behind the scenes and behind the music and networking of hip-hop — are being drowned out by the drama of hip-hop. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for essential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essential
Adjective
  • Constant vigilance is necessary because drownings can happen within minutes, and young children especially can wander off or duck out of sight quickly.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • This might mean caps on unlimited PTO during certain times of year, or that advance approval is necessary.
    Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to abortions, Planned Parenthood clinics offer birth control, pregnancy testing, STD testing, and basic gynecological services.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • Even Judicial Watch, a conservative legal group known for public records litigation often aimed at uncovering information about Democratic officials and administrations, said it is increasingly being forced to fight in court just to access basic records.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Choose sustainable and environmentally friendly designs Sustainability isn’t just a trendy term, but an integral part of the design process and Berk advises choosing materials that will weather the elements and won’t need to be replaced every two to three years.
    Mariette Williams, USA Today, 21 May 2025
  • For the milestone celebration, Queen Camilla not only favored one of her longtime favorite designers, but also a dress she’s previously worn and maintained as an integral part of her royal wardrobe.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • With Chrome attackers looking to bypass 2FA protections, and compromise passwords, proactive defensive measures are a must.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Some combination of them would be a must in any deal the team would make for a center.
    Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Additionally, illiquid investments pose valuation challenges for required distributions and limit exit opportunities.
    Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • The organization turned the house into a public museum and oversees its design preservation and all required maintenance to ensure the landmark will last for generations to come.
    Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • And no, this doesn't mean turning the office into a place full of rudimentary and shallow perks.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • His projections were rudimentary by today’s standards, but at the time were ahead of the curve.
    David Hill, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • On the contrary, the power of the purse is reserved to Congress, and the President has no inherent authority to override Congress's will on domestic spending decisions.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
  • Loro Piana’s connection to the equestrian world was inherent from the very beginning, with brothers Pier Luigi and Sergio Loro Piana, the former co-owners of the Maison, both passoniate riders.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Apart from those violations, the CPSC says the swings also fail to meet mandatory warning requirements required to inform parents of the risks of death or serious injury to infants.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Many college students also would be unable to access the Pell Grant under the bill, as Republicans are asking to increase the full-time enrollment requirement to 30 semester hours from 24 semester hours each academic year.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Essential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essential. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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